Music is a divine balm in the midst of the world’s sorrows. Music is also a sorrow in search of a balm. It offers a sui generis grace, one that we may wish to approach carefully. Most of us understand the two sides of music’s power intuitively. Balm in the midst of sorrow is what we love. . . . . Continue Reading »
What makes a text sacred? There are many answers to this question, but I learned mine from the Jewish tradition in which I was raised. Continue Reading »
If the cosmic king of the universe could reign from a tree, then we his ambassadors can minister from one also. Continue Reading »
Bret Stephens recently championed the “classically liberal concept of a neutral public square.” In this issue, Matthew Schmitz examines similar assertions by George Will. These accounts characterize any substantive basis for civic life as “illiberal,” even “theocratic.” They entail a . . . . Continue Reading »
It is hard to mourn together while we have different understandings of death and the sacred. Continue Reading »
Subscribe
Latest Issue
Support First Things
